Where have I been? Well, trying to catch up on my non-web commitments, I went over 3 days on a total of less than 4 hours sleep. I finally hit the sack and was out for about 14 hours. When I woke, my eyes were sealed shut and, when I got them open, everything was a blur for hours. Right now, if I were to go on the set of "The Walking Dead", Andrea would probably shoot me in the head (Shane would recognize that I'm still alive and just kneecap me and leave me for the walkers). We've got a couple of new or recent releases for you to chew on while I pull myself together.
First up is some far out fresh and funky vinyl from the folks at Voodoo Funk and the Academy Annex. This is a limited vinyl re-issue of a very rare single...from Ghana. Now I know that sounds...foreign. But these brothers got some serious soul. Seriously. Check it.
First up is some far out fresh and funky vinyl from the folks at Voodoo Funk and the Academy Annex. This is a limited vinyl re-issue of a very rare single...from Ghana. Now I know that sounds...foreign. But these brothers got some serious soul. Seriously. Check it.
Assuming that divShare gadget works (a lot of these apps aren't compatible with this site), that's the sound of Pee Pee Dynamite. OK, quite possibly the worst name ever for a performer, but still...that sucker cooks. "A Groovy Christmas And A Happy New Year" comes from the legendary Ghanaian label Agoro Records and was produced by its founder Kwadwo Donkoh. The label had a long history of producing the finest soul, reggae and highlife to come out of Africa in the 60s and 70s. There aren't a lot of on-line discographies of Ghanaian labels, but I'd guess this was an early 70s side. The "B" side, "The Soul Of Christmas" is a slow to mid tempo soul simmer number that sounds a bit like late 60s Atlantic soul. Eh. Better I should just play it.
The pressing is strictly limited to 1000 copies. Amazon expects to have copies of the 45 on January 17. But, for once, we Americans get lucky; the Academy Annex is domestic--running their shop out of Brooklyn, New York. So you can order the single today and have it shipped to you on Monday, for example (I believe the release date was November 25). More information and, unless I'm very much mistaken, free mp3s at Voodoo Funk. What, did I bury the lead?
Speaking of afro funky stuff on vinyl, Christmas A Go Go came up with a great one the other day. The artist known as Mr President will be releasing a limited colored vinyl 7" of "It's Christmas Time" on December 12. Haven't found a pre-order link just yet (the digital version will be available at iTunes and Amazon), but, when it comes, it should come from Favorite Records. What we do have is the audio. And this one is smokin'!
I've tried to warn artists about releasing Christmas records without Christmas in the title. We nearly missed this excellent 3-song rock set from After Edmund and that would have been a shame. 3 Christmas songs--none with Christmas in the title--on a digital EP "Twas The Night After Edmund". Clever title, but it doesn't turn up in standard searches. All three songs have terrific arrangements, but I was especially taken with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". After Edmund is an Indie Art Rock band from Georgia and their reputation is growing. "Twas The Night After Edmund" was released November 1, and you'll find it on Amazon and iTunes.
On December 5th, the Cherryade label will release their 7th annual Christmas collection--one for every year of their existence--"A Very Cherry Christmas 7". The difference this year is that the hard copy release will be strictly limited to 100 copies and exclusively available from the label. The digital version will be available through all the usual outlets. The price is £5.00, plus £1.00 shipping (which is roughly $9.60 total, depending on the conversion rate).
Cherryade was founded by Rachael Neiman, host of the UK's absolutely smashing underground music radio program "The Rachael Neiman Experience", last heard on Dandelion Radio which, in many ways (including their own Festive 50) carries on the tradition of the late and legendary John Peel. If you're dreaming of a Christmas playlist with the latest in twee core, lo-fi, antifolk, electro pop, electronica, riot grrrl, indie pop, and bubblegum--to name but a few--Rachael and Cherryade are at your service. And this truly is the cutting edge of Britain's Indie scene. Quite often, I'll come across something that sounds truly fresh and festive, only to realize it was on one of the Cherryade CDs...three years earlier. Volumes1-4 are sold out, but Cherryade does have a special deal going on to get Volumes 5, 6, and 7 for a reduced holiday price.
Ooh, the Just Joans! Don't mind if I do.
BUY FROM CHERRYADE
1. Kristofski Kabuki – Christmas Wrapping
2. The Just Joans – Christmas (Tears 'Neath the Mistletoe)
3. The Drain On the Balcony – Santa Hat
4. Doris and the Jumpers - Mistletoe Queen
5. Bucky – I'm A Little Snowflake
6. Partly Llama – Fall Into Christmas
7. Otalgia – Hill of Angels
8. Ace Bushy Striptease - Nightmare Before Christmas Featuring Sonic Youth And Shellac And Lightning Bolt Again...
9. Gareth Cutter – Don't Cancel Christmas
10. Larry Pickleman - Happy Holiday
11. Ste McCabe – Christmas Time for Sanctimonious Swine
12. Will Barnes - (Hope That You Are Having) A Good Christmas (Baby)
13. Ratfangs - Snowgays
Cherryade was founded by Rachael Neiman, host of the UK's absolutely smashing underground music radio program "The Rachael Neiman Experience", last heard on Dandelion Radio which, in many ways (including their own Festive 50) carries on the tradition of the late and legendary John Peel. If you're dreaming of a Christmas playlist with the latest in twee core, lo-fi, antifolk, electro pop, electronica, riot grrrl, indie pop, and bubblegum--to name but a few--Rachael and Cherryade are at your service. And this truly is the cutting edge of Britain's Indie scene. Quite often, I'll come across something that sounds truly fresh and festive, only to realize it was on one of the Cherryade CDs...three years earlier. Volumes1-4 are sold out, but Cherryade does have a special deal going on to get Volumes 5, 6, and 7 for a reduced holiday price.
Ooh, the Just Joans! Don't mind if I do.
BUY FROM CHERRYADE
1. Kristofski Kabuki – Christmas Wrapping
2. The Just Joans – Christmas (Tears 'Neath the Mistletoe)
3. The Drain On the Balcony – Santa Hat
4. Doris and the Jumpers - Mistletoe Queen
5. Bucky – I'm A Little Snowflake
6. Partly Llama – Fall Into Christmas
7. Otalgia – Hill of Angels
8. Ace Bushy Striptease - Nightmare Before Christmas Featuring Sonic Youth And Shellac And Lightning Bolt Again...
9. Gareth Cutter – Don't Cancel Christmas
10. Larry Pickleman - Happy Holiday
11. Ste McCabe – Christmas Time for Sanctimonious Swine
12. Will Barnes - (Hope That You Are Having) A Good Christmas (Baby)
13. Ratfangs - Snowgays
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